The Cystic Fibrosis Trust (CFT) is inviting applications for its Strategic Research Centre (SRC) Programme, which offers up to £800,000 over a maximum of four years to support the creation and operation of virtual centres of excellence in cystic fibrosis research.

The centres may focus on basic or clinical research and should typically comprise a lead Principal Investigator, based in the UK, collaborating with other experts from the CF and non-CF fields – preferably with a geographical and multi-disciplinary spread. The SRCs are also intended to provide an environment that fosters interest and provides support for retaining PhD students, post docs, clinical fellows etc in CF research.

Applications are invited from Principal Investigators who are established researchers based at institutions in the UK. Applicants from outside of the field of CF research may also apply, providing they are supported by a co-investigator who is experienced in CF research and has a history of publications in the field.

Co-investigators should be recruited by the lead PI to create the SRC team with the appropriate scientific expertise required to address the research question. International collaborations are welcome.

An SRC work programme must have between three and six synergistic work streams that share a well-defined theme and overall objective. The synergy between the work streams and their contribution to the overall objective must be clearly articulated. Proposals that address the CFT research goals are particularly welcomed.

The maximum funding level for an SRC is between £700,000 and £800,000 over three to four years. The funding can be used for salaries for early career researchers and technical staff, running expenses and student fees and a stipend for four-year PhD studentships (to be based at UK institutions).